donlever wrote:Schneider and back up equals 4.4 million (3.5 and 900K) next year.

Cap space created 1.8 million.

I doubt it. CS is an RFA. It would be entirely reasonable for a GM to throw $6.2 million at him --- that's (approximately) the cap for first, second, and third in compensation. For straight up trade value, I don't think it would be irrational for a GM to feel comfortable giving up 2 first round picks plus lower picks, meaning the offer sheet should climb, so long as cap space is not a major issue. Teams are paying that and more for goaltending if they think they've got a Vezina caliber player, CS has more of a potential to be that than any other available goalie. That's a pretty risky contract given the relative lack of experience, but I really don't think it is entirely out of bounds to think CS is as good as Rinne.

So if the Canucks choose CS, they would be foolish not to sign a long term contract with CS upon completing the Luongo transaction. And that is going to cost a good deal of money, quite possibly more than Luongo's cap hit. No matter what, this all has to happen before July 1.

am I wrong in thinking that cap issues are irrelevant until Oct? They can match whatever for CS and still hold RL's contract through the summer as long as they get under the cap before the start of next season?

donlever wrote:Schneider and back up equals 4.4 million (3.5 and 900K) next year.

Cap space created 1.8 million.

I doubt it. CS is an RFA. It would be entirely reasonable for a GM to throw $6.2 million at him --- that's (approximately) the cap for first, second, and third in compensation. For straight up trade value, I don't think it would be irrational for a GM to feel comfortable giving up 2 first round picks plus lower picks, meaning the offer sheet should climb, so long as cap space is not a major issue. ... No matter what, this all has to happen before July 1.

Schneider is still eligible for arbitration, so the Canucks can exercise arbitration right prior to July 1 and still work out a deal, plus he's protected from offer sheets. If you were trading him, a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd would be pretty reasonable return given the market for goalies.